TESTS OF CARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22695, 6 April 1937, Page 10

TESTS OF CARS

CHECKING WARRANTS PROBABLE PROCEDURE THE NEW NUMBER-PLATES i . It is considered almost certain that when application is made for the new number-plates of motor vehicles owners will be required to produce warrants of fitness of their cars before registration can be effected. Approximately 27,700 motor vehicles are now registered in Auckland, an increase of about 3000 new vehicles in the year, so that there will be a greater rush than ever before between May 1 and Juno 1 for the new plates. Auckland numbers will run from 83,501 to 117,500. Some comment is being made on the fact that no distinguishing mark is being given in Auckland to cars that have secured a warrant of fitness. The Wellington City Council, which is testing vehicles, has adopted a green emblem bearing tho number of the warrant that is affixed to the windscreen by transfer and which will resist washing. Scraping is necessary to remove it. No such device has been adopted in Auckland because the municipality is not yet in a position to undertake testing. So far tho Auckland City Council has not selected a site for a testing station. It is considered, however, that when it enters the business some form of sticker, perhaps of the transfer type adopted in Wellington, will be used, but the colour may denote the period of tho year in which the warrant ceases to bo effective instead of the time of issue. Warrants are good only for six months, and so expiry dates will vary. Whether the City Council will make a drive in the near future to ascertain if cars liavo a warrant of fitness is not known, but when cars are in difficulties traffic inspectors are asking drivers to produce their warrants. There will, of course, be tho almost certain checking up when new plates are issued and drivers' licences are renewed, and possibly after that the general policy to be pursued will be determined.

There is a fairly general impression that the interpretation of the standard of fitness among the garages authorised to issue warrants has been fairly varied, but this will not greatly aifeet the value of the information being gained on the general condition of vehicles and the defects most common. Such information will be a guide to the authorities from several aspects of road transport.